Pittsfield councilors to consider charges for use of own pool

PITTSFIELD, Maine — Town councilors will determine tonight what fees will be charged this summer for swim lessons and nonresident public swimming, as well as whether to allow rental of the pool for private parties.

In her report to councilors this week, Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said that a recent survey of other communities revealed that Pittsfield’s existing rates for all recreation programs are among the lowest in the state, and partly were because of the aging conditions of the town pool.

“We now have a new swimming pool complex,” Ruth said.

By looking at the cost of all programs and including all expenses — including pool maintenance, the cost of lifeguards, bathhouse attendants, supplies, water and the pool director — Ruth said it would cost $160 a child for swimming lessons. It also would cost $72.96 a child for arts and crafts programming; and $41.19 a child for tennis lessons.

All other programs are self-sufficient, she said, and a cost per program analysis shows that football, basketball and soccer make a profit of almost $4,000.

Last year, 84 children signed up for swim lessons, down from 137 in 2007. Also, 44 children signed up for Arts and Crafts programming.

The analysis shows that it will cost approximately $23,000 to staff and maintain the pool this summer. No cost comparisons to 2008 were supplied.

Ruth said the Swimming Pool Committee has suggested a fee of $2 per adult and $1 per child for nonresident use of the pool. Increases also are proposed for swim lessons and all other recreation programs.

The council will meet at 7:30 tonight in the municipal building on Somerset Avenue.

The agenda also includes:

— A community relations plan for the Brownfield Clean-up Grant Project on Eelweir Road.

— A presentation by Tim McDonald, general manager of Premium Choice Broadband, which recently acquired the town’s server, Mainely Wired.